Over the past few years, millions of motorists around the world have made the switch to electric vehicles. These come in many different varieties, but the main distinction to be aware of is between pure battery electric vehicles and plug-in hybrids. The former dispense with the traditional internal combustion engine in favour of an electric motor; the latter include both, and represent a kind of compromise between the two.
Differences between petrol and diesel cars and EV
An internal combustion engine generates power by burning fossil fuels. These fuels produce energy when they’re burned, which is used to drive the wheels via a series of cylinders. The electric car works via a different principle, drawing its energy from the chemicals within a lithium-ion battery.
What does this mean from the driver’s perspective? You’ll need to charge the battery, using a special charging outlet. While it is possible to charge via a three-pronged household socket, it’s impractically slow.
You’ll enjoy a much quieter and smoother drive, and you’ll get instant torque whenever you put your foot down. Like any other car, your EV will need to be covered by car insurance to be legal on UK roads.
Getting on the road
In practice, an electric vehicle is much simpler to drive. There’s no gearbox, and, as such, the car can be treated much like an automatic. Simply select ‘drive’, and start driving. In many respects, the driving experience is identical to that of an internal-combustion-engine powered vehicle – you’ll still need to set your mirrors and check your surroundings before you start the vehicle.
Making the most of your battery
Among the most important components of any electric vehicle is the battery. Looking after the battery will help it last for as long as possible and perform as well as possible throughout its lifespan.
It’s a good idea to get your battery to the optimal temperature before you start driving. Cold batteries are less efficient than warm ones, after all. This can be done via a process called ‘pre-conditioning’. Most electric cars allow you to set a timer, so that the car is ready to go at the desired time of departure.
The electrical devices you use inside the car will also draw power from the battery – in much the same way as the electrical items in any other car will draw power ultimately from the engine.
One thing that’s worth bearing in mind is that batteries charge quickest when they are emptier. You can think of the battery as analogous to a car park, with limited spaces for electrons to occupy. As the spaces fill up, it takes longer for loose electrons to find a spot; but when the battery is empty, it’s trivially quick.
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